The herd at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Sri Lanka..Established in 1975 by the Sri Lankan government, Pinnawala provides sanctuary to.elephants abandoned by wild herds. Legendary for their heroic efforts to save family members,.the trauma of habitat loss and civil war have overcome elephant's strong familial ties. Wild.herds have been forced to abandon young and injured members of their herds as never before.and move on to relative safety within their evaporating habitats. The Pinnawala Elephant.Orphanage has the capacity to provide shelter to about 50 orphaned and injured elephants..